This
week’s Sepia Saturday photograph focuses on signs on buildings. It reminded me
of two family photos that were taken c 1925.
Weissberg Furriers
386 Grant Street, Buffalo, NY
This Fur Store was owned by Frank Samuel Weissberg, son of Morris Weissberg &
Rose Bankin, and Florence Gartner, daughter of Leopold Gartner and Fannie
Edelstein. Florence was my Grand Aunt,
sister of my maternal grandfather. Frank was born in Austria and Florence was
born in New York City where they met and married on 27
January 1907.[1] By 1910
they were living in Buffalo, NY.[2]
The
1925 New York State Census shows the family at 386 Grant Street, Buffalo.[3]
Frank was a furrier. This is the location shown in the photographs, as
evidenced by the signs.
I am very happy they took the time to pose in front
of their store with the signs behind them. Frank & Florence then posed their sons and even the dog in front of the store.
Milton Sydney Weissberg b 1907
Francis Weissberg b 1915
I went to Google Maps to find the
same building today. However, it is just an empty lot.
Be sure to take a peek at the other photos posted for Sepia Saturday this week.
[1] Certificate
of Marriage
for Samuel Weissberg and Florence Gartner, 27 January 1907, #2933, State of New
York, City of New York; New York City Department of Records, Municipal
Archives, 31 Chambers Street, New York City, New York.
[2] 1910
United States Census,
Buffalo, New York, SD 14, ED 48, Sheet 6A; Samuel Weissberg family on Walnut
Street in Buffalo.
[3] 1925 NYS Census,
Erie County, Buffalo, AD 4, ED2, Page 30; 1 June 1925. Frank S Weissberg family
at 386 Grant street.
Just about every place my ancestors lived in New York is now an empty lot. I notice they were having a "Clearing Sale" -- most stores here say "Clearance Sale." (Don't forget to add your link at Sepia Saturday.)
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad they took the time to pose and snap these photos in front of the lettering! I don't have a lot of information on this branch of the family and these photos, saved by my grandfather, have great clues.
DeleteHow good to have this pair of photographs. When I saw the first one in feedly I thought perhaps it was two photographs side-by-side without space between. On second look, of course, I realized the right side was a reflection in glass. It creates in interesting photo (even if your ancestors weren't in the photo).
ReplyDeleteIt is sad when those buildings we see in the old photographs have been demolished. So much history gone with the push of the bulldozer.
Nancy the reflection makes them intriguing photographs but I'd rather be able to see inside the shop. Oh well...
DeleteFlorence is a very intimidating looking women.
ReplyDeleteLove the dog in the photo!
Yes, my great aunt, who I never met, does not look warm and friendly in this snapshot.
DeleteOh gosh, it would have been neat to see the building as it is today. It's great that you have these photos, though. My ancestors were mostly all farmers, so they took benches out in the field or sat on a tractor for their photos!
ReplyDeleteTerri, I have those farm photos as well. They are great.
DeleteFantastic photos! What a shame the building has gone.
ReplyDelete'Clearing Sale' is an unusual term. And I agree, Florence does indeed look intimidating!
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky that these 2 photos have been preserved. Clearing Sale is a term still in common use in Australia.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather saved these photos of his sister's family & when he died in 1944 my grandmother and mother carefully saved his things. They have been passed on to me & I keep them in archival safe sleeves.
DeleteThey were obviously very proud of their shop, and rightfully so. The house across the street reflected in the glass is so clear. I don't think my windows have ever been that squeaky clean!
ReplyDeleteA great couple of signs (and a great couple of photos). I love the twin reflections in the shop windows. Never let those photos go in a clearance sale.
ReplyDeleteTwo great photos. The shop may be gone but these images are now part of the Sepia Saturday window display.
ReplyDelete